Sunday, August 21, 2011

Blue Bunny Red Velvet Ice Cream Review

[New for 2011, lost the Duff branding in 2015] Of all the new flavors that Blue Bunny came out with this year, Red Velvet has by far been the most talked about around here. Actually, it's kind of been the year of Red Velvet. Stone Ridge was ahead of the curve by releasing their Red Velvet ice cream last year, but things have gone into high gear as both Blue Bunny and Ben & Jerry's have released Red Velvet flavors. (You may remember I was overpowered by the B&J version).

Blue Bunny Red Carpet Red Velvet Cake Ice Cream

Red Velvet Cake flavored ice cream swirled

with Cream Cheese Frosting flavored ice cream with Red Velvet Pieces

So, finally, on the blog, may I present the Duff Goldman inspired Red Carpet Red Velvet Cake Premium Ice Cream. wow, looks at those bright red streaks on the packaging, that is some unique ice cream, I hope it's nice and cakey!

HA! Check out the opening shot! That is some mighty red ice cream!

Ok, there's a better view of what is really going on. It's big honkin' red velvet cake ice cream swirls. I have never, ever seen anything so red in my life. You can spy red velvet cake pieces here and there, but that red swirl has my attention. Notice how there are flecks of red ice cream in the cream cheese frosting flavored white ice cream. Interesting.

I start spooning my daughter a bowl when I realize I'm not actually sure if she's going to like it. I take a quick bite and I'm not really sure if I'm going to like it. I load her bowl up with whip cream and cookie crumbs to make sure she enjoys it. I'm tempted to do the same, but I decide to go for a small bowl of just ice cream so I can do a true test (well, one squirt of whip cream won't hurt).

I start to dig in, and to be honest, I am unamused. When I dug into the Ben & Jerry's version, there was this overpowering flavor warfare going on for top spot. Here, everything is mellow, but in a weird way. It's like someone taping you on the opposite shoulder. The flavor is there, but it isn't. I don't think it's strong enough to appease the red velvet crowd (or the cream cheese crowd), but it's there just enough to make me confused. I kept trying to enjoy it, but I just couldn't.

Just like a picture has the power to make you hungry, this one has the power to make you not hungry. I'm glad Blue Bunny went all out, I admire their spunk, but there is A LOT of red in this ice cream. I'm not even sure of another flavor that even comes close.

Ok, that's all I got I guess. I've enjoyed Strawberries are Forever Shortcake and Triple Chocolate Cake, but this one just isn't for me. I hate using the term "weird" to described an ice cream, but that's how this one hits me. The flavor is just half there and it makes me not want to eat it any more.

Verdict? Not for meBuy Again? Nope.

On Second Scoop: I was obviously dismayed with my first scoop, so I decided to make the second scoop a shake... though I think only 2 out of 3 scoops landed in the cup (hey, that 3rd scoop had a cake bit in it). The flavor just seems so mild to me, I feel like I am missing something. I add the milk to my shake and start stirring. Oh my, this is boring, I think I will add some Nesquik... BOOM! All of a sudden the flavor has popped back to life! I'll admit I am a novice in the world of Red Velvet, but adding chocolate really did bring the cake flavor to life in my shake. Strangely enough, I could barely taste the chocolate, it was all about the cake flavor. It actually tasted like I expected it to taste. Live and learn!

I just tried this and liked it a LOT (I love the texture of cake in ice cream though...). My one major complaint is the after taste. I am guessing this is due to the red food coloring? Not sure if anyone else noticed it.

Perhaps the greatest ice cream flavor to come along in the last 10 years! The color and flavor are EXACTLY on target for red velvet: a mild cocoa taste (but not chocolate). B&Js version, on the other hand: no cocoa in the ingredients. Therefore it's not red velvet! Mr. Marty Ice Cream

Dubba you know you and I seem to have opposite tastes, so no shock I just had some and loved it! Way better than B&J's..love the cakey pieces, and I could taste the difference b/t the cream cheese and red velvet ice creams..Not too cheesy, and no after taste I could decipher. Waay better than Duff's Triple Chocolate..can't wait to find the other two flavors to try!

I know I'm kinda late in the game to comment on this one, but I liked it. I didn't LOOOVE it, but it was a great sweet fix. I mean, REALLY sweet fix. I felt like sugar was in between my teeth for hours. I agree the red is kind of nauseating, but it's a giant step above Ben & Jerry's red velvet. It's buyable.

I am also a little late in the game and think the reviewer has it spot on. There is not enough taste in this ice cream. It's cold and feels like I am eating something that is supposed to be ice cream with flavor but it does not have any! I love Red Velvet cake and this does not do it justice. I tried it on two different days to make sure it wasn't just a fluke. It is probably one of the few ice creams that I threw down the sink just because the lack of taste was not worth eating the calories.

I thought this ice cream was great. Red Velvet cake is supposed to be mellow as it's just plain cake with a little cocoa. I enjoyed this ice cream and give it a 88/100 and it would've been in the A+ range had the cake pieces texture been a little more "cakier" and not as "browniesh."

I agree with you. This flavor is a weird one. Once I opened the carton and saw the appearance of this ice cream I was surprised by how much this reminded me of Halloween makeup in terms of color and texture, with the reddish brown color reminding me of fake blood while the white reminding me of the white makeup for the faces of draculas or vampires. The texture however was not as dense as solid as makeup though; instead it was extremely smooth, fluffy, and foamy, very similiar to the texture of Yoplait's Whips yogurt or whipped cream.

But taste is what matters the most. I am not sure how to describe this flavor; it's strange. I have never had Red Velvet cake before but if I could imagine how the batter tasted before being baked then this is the flavor I would imagine it be. It wasn't bad but it wasn't great. It's a nice break from vanilla or chocolate.

I absolutely enjoyed the pieces of cake and they largely enhanced this flavor, taking it to another level. I just wish there were more of them.

Ben and Jerry's Red Velvet Cake is one of my all-time favorite ice creams that I have ever had, so I was excited to compare these 2 flavors. Where B&J's version tastes like regular sweet cream ice cream and red velvet cake mixed together, Blue Bunny's version tastes like Red Velvet cake better and cake mixed together, with Blue Bunny's version have a stronger red velvet flavor. I still prefer B&J's version as I was impressed and hooked from the first scoop to the last scoop. Even when I finished the pint in 3 days I still wanted more. With Blue Bunny, however, I was not impressed or hooked. It was good for a night stand. Nonetheless, I would buy Blue Bunny's Red Velvet version again but only if I wanted something very different - something other than vanilla, chocolate, or ben and jerry's - and unique. The cake pieces are definitely worth it.

I agree with Dubba also. I expected it to be a lot more richer and cakier in taste. They could have added the cream cheese as an icing o some sort swirled in the mix. I would rate it a 6/10. Bland on taste but easy on the eyes. Honestly I gave it to my 9yr old nephew and brother.